Reason 22: Stand up for our NHS

The NHS is Labour's greatest achievement but it now needs a Labour Government to stand up for it.

Our NHS staff do an excellent job but they are under-resourced and under pressure.

The SNP proudly declare that there is record funding for Scotland's NHS but if the budget increased by £1 annually then each year would represent record funding.

The reality is that NHS Ayrshire and Arran face £30million of cuts this year as the funding settlement they have received does not meet the cost of meeting demand for health services.

Health boards across the country face the same and many local services are at threat. Here in Ayrshire the health board, which includes two SNP Council leaders, has stated that "a balanced budget cannot currently be set for 2016/17".....

In addition NHS Ayrshire and Arran have over 30 vacancies for consultants that they are struggling to fill and are paying £500 a day for locums.

Scottish Labour's tax plan means £900million more per year for public services such as the NHS. Back Joe and Scottish Labour to stand up for our NHS.